Heroic Dad of 3 and Camp Counselors Brave Texas Flood to Save Lives
Heroes Emerge in the Texas Floods: A Father’s Last Words and a Counselor’s Quiet Bravery
Amid the heartbreak and destruction left by the catastrophic flash floods that swept through Texas over the July 4th weekend, stories of extraordinary courage have emerged—stories that remind us of the strength of the human spirit, even in the face of overwhelming tragedy.
One of the most powerful is that of Julian Ryan, a 27-year-old father of three from the Guadalupe River region. On what began as a festive Independence Day, sudden and violent floodwaters turned his riverside home into a trap. But Julian didn’t hesitate for a second. As the water surged, he sprang into action to protect the people he loved most.
Julian first ensured the safety of his fiancée, Christinia Wilson, their three young children, and his mother. With escape routes cut off and the house rapidly filling with water, Julian broke a window to create an exit—severely slicing his arm in the process and rupturing an artery. Bleeding heavily and weakening by the second, he refused to stop.
He carried one child after another through the broken glass and into the arms of rescuers. He helped Christinia climb to higher ground. He made sure his mother was safe. Only once his entire family had made it to safety did Julian collapse. His final words, spoken through pain and exhaustion, will stay with them forever:
“I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.”
He died a hero. His body was recovered hours later by rescue teams. In the days since, Julian has been remembered as a devoted father, a loving partner, and an incredibly selfless soul. A GoFundMe page set up in his honor has already raised nearly $88,000, a testament to how deeply his story has touched the hearts of people across the country.
While Julian’s final moments were filled with unimaginable sacrifice, another story of resilience unfolded upstream at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp in Kerrville, Texas.
When the floodwaters roared into the camp, 19-year-old counselor Emma Foltz found herself responsible for the lives of 14 young girls. Still grieving the recent loss of her own mother, Emma could have easily been overwhelmed—but instead, she became a calm, steady presence amid the chaos.
She quickly moved the girls to higher ground, comforting the frightened and organizing them with a quiet authority well beyond her years. Her focus was unshakable. When parents couldn’t reach the camp due to downed communications, they later learned that Emma had stayed with the girls through the night, keeping spirits up with songs, prayers, and reassurance.
Her bravery and poise didn’t go unnoticed. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised her in a public statement, calling her “a true light in the storm.” On social media, many parents and fellow counselors have called Emma a hero—someone whose strength reminded others how much one calm heart can mean in a crisis.
These are just two of the countless acts of courage that have emerged from this devastating disaster, which has so far claimed more than 50 lives, including at least 15 children. As floodwaters begin to recede, Texans are left grappling with grief—but also inspired by the quiet, powerful moments of humanity that rose above the storm.
In the words of one local resident, posted beneath Julian Ryan’s memorial tribute:
“He didn’t just save his family—he saved all of us from forgetting what love really looks like.”
And in Kerrville, a new mural is already underway—featuring the names of heroes like Emma, reminders that even when the river rages, there are always those who rise.